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2020 (6) TMI 219 - HC - Indian LawsSeeking Donations for the trust illegally - offence under Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - acquittal of the accused - rebuttal of presumption - contention of the learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the appellant/state is that the trial Court failed to consider the oral evidence and also the documentary evidence let-in by the prosecution to substantiate the case - HELD THAT:- The respondent, is not connected with UPUS trust. Only for the reason that the Managing trustees was residing in village, the respondent’s father who is Auditor of the CCCB Limited (Bank) was authorized to operate the trust account to facilitate the transaction. The amounts which have been properly accounted for the functioning of the trust is not in dispute. The house of the respondent was searched and no incriminating materials found. Further no case under disproportionate assets have been initiated against the respondent. The Investigating officer failed to show that there was any demand made by the respondent for donation to the trust. There is no material to connect the respondent with the trust and that he was benefited from the trust amount. It is well settled that the presumption to be drawn under Section 20 is not an inviolable one. The accused charged with the offence can rebut it either through the cross-examination of the witnesses cited against him or by adducing reliable evidence. If the accused fails to disprove the presumption the same would stick and then it can be held by the Court that the prosecution has proved that the accused received the amount towards gratification. It is equally well settled that the burden of proof placed upon the accused person against whom the presumption is made under Section 20 of the Act is not akin to the burden placed on the prosecution to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden resting upon the accused is not so onerous, the respondent discharged the same by proof of balance of probabilities. Appeal dismissed.
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